Marcos Senesi Replaces Injured Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina's World Cup Squad

Marcos Senesi will join Argentina's World Cup squad, stepping in for defender Leonardo Balerdi who sustained a muscle injury. The news arrived on the opening day of the tournament, marking a significant shift for the national team's defensive lineup. Balerdi, a player for Olympique de Marseille, was injured during a training session due to a muscular issue in his right calf. This setback means he will be unable to participate in the World Cup. Senesi, who played for AFC Bournemouth until the last season, will take his place. This call-up follows Senesi's recent transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, meaning he will continue his career in the Premier League while representing Argentina on the world stage. Senesi is no stranger to international duty, having earned three caps for the senior national team. He also has experience with Argentina's under-20 and under-23 squads, accumulating at least eleven appearances across these youth levels, according to Transfermarkt. His professional career began at San Lorenzo de Almagro in Argentina before he moved to the Netherlands in 2019. He spent three seasons with Feyenoord, playing 116 matches, scoring nine goals, and providing seven assists. His offensive capabilities as a defender attracted the attention of the Premier League, leading to his transfer to Bournemouth in 2022. With The Cherries, Senesi played 128 games, scoring six goals and assisting ten times. Senesi's previous appearances for Argentina's senior team include friendlies against Estonia in 2022, Venezuela in 2025, and Mauritania in 2026, prior to this World Cup call-up.